not "employment relationship."

At first glance, this may look like splitting hairs, but there is a difference between "relations" and "relationship."

Please notice the definitional difference, per dictionary, between these two terms: “relationship” (A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other) and “relationS” (relations a. The mutual dealings or connections of persons, groups, or nations in social, business, or diplomatic matters). Both definitions are taken from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000, as shown below. I believe that the term "relations" is the appropriate one here.

This can be seen better with an analogy: the State Department is in charge of U.S. Foreign Relations, not relationship or relationships, although, on a day-to-day basis, the DOS takes care of U.S. relationships with different nations.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

relationship

SYLLABICATION: re•la•tion•ship
PRONUNCIATION: r-lshn-shp
NOUN: 1. The condition or fact of being related; connection or association. 2. Connection by blood or marriage; kinship. 3. A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other: has a close relationship with his siblings. 4. A romantic or sexual involvement.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

relation

SYLLABICATION: re•la•tion
PRONUNCIATION: r-lshn
NOUN: 1. A logical or natural association between two or more things; relevance of one to another; connection: the relation between smoking and heart disease. 2. The connection of people by blood or marriage; kinship. 3. A person connected to another by blood or marriage; a relative. 4. The way in which one person or thing is connected with another: the relation of parent to child. 5. relations a. The mutual dealings or connections of persons, groups, or nations in social, business, or diplomatic matters: international relations. b. Sexual intercourse. 6. Reference; regard: in relation to your inquiry. 7a. The act of telling or narrating. b. A narrative; an account. 8. Law The principle whereby an act done at a later date is considered to have been done on a prior date.